90 Degree Elbow Properties and Uses

July 02, 2025

90 Degree Elbow Properties and Uses

Let’s explore the properties and uses of a 90-degree elbow. Understanding these will ensure your project is executed efficiently and effectively, meeting all your requirements.

Table of contents

  • Properties and Uses of 90 Degree Elbow
  • 90 Degree Elbow Specification
  • SS 90 Degree Elbow Dimensions and Size Chart
  • Aluminum 90 Degree Elbow Weight Chart
  • 90 Deg Elbow Materials
  • Stainless Steel 90 Degree Elbow Pressure Rating
  • Copper 90 Degree Elbow Dimensional Tolerance
  • 90 Degree Elbow Angularity Tolerances
  • 4 inch 90 degree elbow Chemical and Mechanical Properties
  • Types of 90° Elbows
  • SS 90 Deg Elbows Size Chart
  • Advantages of 90 Degree Elbow

Properties and Uses of 90 Degree Elbow

90 Degree Elbow

Properties:

  • 90-degree bend
  • changes the direction of flow by a right angle
  • Available in various sizes
  • can match different pipe diameters and flow rates
  • pressure ratings depend on material and design
  • End types: threaded, welded, or flanged
  • Radius: long radius, short radius

Uses:

Used to change the direction of a pipeline

Helps manage the flow of liquids and gases

  • Oil and gas refineries
  • Chemical plants
  • Plumbing systems
  • Power generation facilities
  • HVAC applications
90 Degree Elbow Uses

90 Deg Elbow are Manufactured as per ASME B16.9 Standard

The ASME B16.9 standard, developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, outlines specifications for industrial butt-weld fittings. It includes pressure ratings, dimensions, materials, surface finishes, fabrication tests, and tolerances.

90 Degree Elbow Specification

90 Degree Elbow Size Range
  • 1/2" to 48"
Standards
  • ASTM A234
  • MSS SP-75
  • ASTM A403
Manufacturing Standards
  • ASME B16.9
  • DIN2615
  • JIS B2312
Stainless Steel 90 Degree Elbow Thickness
  • SCH 10
  • SCH 40
  • SCH 80
4 Inch 90 Degree Elbow Coating
  • Black Painted
  • Epoxy Coated
  • Galvanized
  • Varnished
Aluminum 90 Degree Elbow Type
  • Welded
  • Seamless
  • Fabricated
Copper 90 Degree Elbow Radius
  • 1 D
  • 2D
  • 3 D
  • 5D
  • 6D
  • 8 D
  • 10D

Refer Sizes and Dimensions of Stainless Steel 90 Degree Elbow

These elbows can be manufactured in various grades of stainless steel, primarily 304 and 316. They offer excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, durability, and require minimal maintenance.

Check the below given sizes and dimensions of SS 90-degree elbow.

SS 90 Degree Elbow Dimensions and Size Chart

SS 90 Degree Elbow

inch D 1/2 3/4 1 1 1/4 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 3 1/2 4 5
ND 15 20 25 32 40 50 65 80 90 100 125
mm 21,34 26,67 33,40 42,16 48,26 60,32 73,02 88,90 101,60 114,30 141,30
Center to center O 76,20 57,15 76,20 95,25 114,30 152,40 190,50 228,60 266,70 304,80 381,00
Radius A 38,10 28,57 38,10 47,60 57,15 76,20 95,25 114,30 133,35 152,40 190,50
Back to face K 47,62 42,86 55,56 69,85 82,55 106,40 131,80 158,75 184,15 209,55 261,90
Center to end B 15,87 11,11 22,22 25,40 28,57 34,92 44,45 50,80 57,15 63,50 79,38
inch 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 28
ND 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 700
mm 168,27 219,07 273,05 323,85 355,60 406,40 457,20 508,00 558,80 609,60 711,20
Center to center 457,20 609,60 762,00 914,40 1066,80 1219,20 1371,60 1524,00 1676,40 1828,80 2133,60
Radius 228,60 304,80 381,00 457,20 533,40 609,60 685,80 762,00 838,20 914,40 1066,80
Back to face 312,70 414,30 517,50 619,10 711,20 812,80 914,40 1016,00 1117,60 1219,20 1422,40
Center to end 95,25 127,00 158,75 190,50 222,25 254,00 285,74 317,50 342,90 381,00 441,90

Check standards and weight chart of copper 90 degree elbow

Copper 90-degree elbows are versatile components used in plumbing and piping systems. They feature a 90-degree bend with a long radius, allowing smooth transitions in copper pipe installations.

The inherent properties of copper provide excellent corrosion resistance, ensuring smooth water flow without blockages caused by rust, making it ideal for safe water distribution systems.

Aluminum 90 Degree Elbow Weight Chart

NPS (inch)     01/2 03/4 1 1 1/4 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 4 5
LR 90 Deg Elbow Sch. 5S 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.18 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.4 2.9
Sch. 10S 0.06 0.07 0.15 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.85 1.3 2 3.6
Sch. 40S 0.08 0.09 0.18 0.25 0.4 0.7 1.35 2 4 6.5
Sch. 80S 0.1 0.11 0.2 0.35 0.5 0.9 1.8 2.9 5.9 9.7
SR 90 Deg Elbow Sch. 5S 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.9 1.95
Sch. 10S 0.04 0.05 0.1 0.13 0.2 0.33 0.6 0.9 1.35 2.4
Sch. 40S 0.05 0.06 0.12 0.17 0.27 0.47 0.9 1.35 2.65 4.35
Sch. 80S 0.07 0.07 0.13 0.12 0.33 0.6 1.2 1.9 3.9 6.5
NPS (inch)     6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 24
LR 90 Deg Elbow Sch. 5S 4 7.4 13.6 23.4 29 41.3 51.8 73 122
Sch. 10S 5 10 16.8 27 35 47 59 85 140
Sch. 40S 10.5 21.5 38.5 59 70 95 120 146 210
Sch. 80S 16 33.5 52.5 79 94 125 158 194 282
SR 90 Deg Elbow Sch. 5S 2.7 4.9 9.1 15.6 19.3 27.5 34.5 49 82
Sch. 10S 3.35 6.7 11.2 18 23.5 31.5 39.5 57 94
Sch. 40S 7 14.5 25.6 39.5 47 63.5 80 98 140
Sch. 80S 10.5 22.5 35 53 63 84 105 129 188
90 degree pipe elbow are available in different types of materials such as Stainless steel, Carbon steel and Nickel alloys

It is essential to choose the right type of material for a 90-degree pipe elbow because using the wrong material can cause problems. Erosion issues may arise from incorrect material selection, which is not suitable for the intended application.

90 Deg Elbow Materials

Material Grades Characteristics
Stainless steel 90 deg elbow
  • 316/316L
  • ASTM A270
  • ASTM A403 WP 304/304L
  • higher strength
  • higher corrosion-resistance
Carbon steel 90 degree elbow
  • ASTM A420 WPL6
  • MSS-SP-75 WPHY 46
  • MSS-SP-75 WPHY 42
  • MSS-SP-75 WPHY 52, 56, 60, 65 and 70
  • high strength
  • high hardness
  • lower plasticity
Alloy Steel
  • ASTM A234 WP1
  • WP5
  • WP9
  • WP11
  • WP22
  • WP91
  • High Temperature
Duplex / Super Duplex 
  • A815 UNS S31803
  • UNS S32750
  • UNS S32760
  • stress corrosion resistance
  • excellent impact toughness
Nickel Alloy
  • UNS 8020
  • UNS 8825
  • UNS 10276
  • UNS 2201
  • UNS 6601
  • ASME SB 336 UNS 2200
  • UNS 4400
  • UNS 6600
  • UNS 6625
  • high creep strength
  • low-vapor
  • magnetic
View pressure rating and tolerance chart of ASME B16.9 90 deg elbow

Choosing the correct pressure rating and tolerance ensures the system operates safely and efficiently, avoiding leaks and damage. Below is a chart showing pressure ratings and tolerances for two different materials, useful for preventing failures.

Stainless Steel 90 Degree Elbow Pressure Rating

Temperature Ratings (oF) -20 to 150 500 250 200 300 400 350 450 550
(oC) -29 to 66 260 121 93 149 204 177 232 288
Pressure Class 150 300 – 225 265 185 – 150 – –
300 1/4 – 1 inch. 2000 510 1575 1785 1360 935 1150 725 300
1 1/4 – 2 inch. 1500 450 1200 1350 1050 750 900 600 300
2 1/2 – 3 inch. 1000 385 825 910 735 560 650 475 300

Copper 90 Degree Elbow Dimensional Tolerance

Nominal Pipe Size OD at Bevel (D) ID at End Center to End LR (A/B) Center to End 3D (A/B) Nominal Pipe Size OD at Bevel (D) ID at End Center to End LR (A/B) Center to End 3D (A/B) Wall Thickness (t)
1/2 to 2.1/2 1.6 -0.8 0.8 2 3 10 to 18 4 -3.2 3.2 2 3 Not less than 87.5% of Nominal Wall Thickness
3 to 3.1/2 1.6 1.6 2 3 20 to 24 6.4 -4.8 4.8 2 3
4 1.6 1.6 2 3 26 to 30 6.4 -4.8 6.4 -4.8 3 6
5 to 8 2.4 -1.6 1.6 2 3 32 to 48 6.4 -4.8 6.4 -4.8 5 6

90 Degree Elbow Angularity Tolerances

ND 1/2 a 4 5 a 8 10 a 12 14 a 16 18 a 24 26 a 30 32 a 42 44 a 48
Max off plane P 2 4 5 7 10 10 13 20
Max off angle Q 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 5

4 inch 90 degree elbow Chemical and Mechanical Properties

Materials Chemical Properties Mechanical Properties
Stainless Steel
  • Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Suitable for acidic and alkaline environments
  • High tensile strength (SS 304: 70-90 MPa)
  • High ductility and impact resistance
  • Temp: up to 870°C
Carbon Steel
  • Rust and corrosion-prone if improperly coated
  • Strong chemical resistance, though not as strong as SS
  • Unsuitable without protective coatings for extremely acidic or alkaline conditions
  • Moderate tensile strength (250 – 600 MPa)
  • Temp: up to 500°C
PVC
  • Excellent resistance to many acids, alkalis, and salts
  • Poor resistance to organic solvents
  • Lightweight and resistant to moisture
  • tensile strength: 40-60 MPa
  • Temp: 60-70°C
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)
  • Better resistance to high temperatures and chemicals as compare to PVC
  • Good impact resistance
  • Max temp: 90-100°C

Types of 90° Elbows

90 Degree Short Radius Elbow

Short Radius 90 deg Elbows (SR)